Some people love to climb soaring mountains, pedal an off-road bicycle over challenging terrain, or venture into ocean caves that have lured divers to their deaths. More, however, prefer a gentle stroll through inviting scenery, steering a bike along flat paths, or snorkeling to watch fish swimming below the surface.
Soft adventuring is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, and it appeals to everyone—from children to those who blow out dozens of candles on their birthday cakes. It encompasses a long list of outdoor activities that people with virtually any physical ability can enjoy. That includes the over-50 crowd, one of the fastest-growing population groups in the United States.
As the saying goes, if you can walk, you can hike—and opportunities for inviting walks probably abound close to wherever you are and certainly farther away.
New York City’s High Line is an elevated linear park in Manhattan that occupies an abandoned railroad track. It offers views of the Hudson River and city skyline and is decorated with colorful plants and art installations. Farther north, people of all ages and hiking abilities can trek to dramatic overlooks above Niagara Falls. They range from easy strolls to challenging scrambles along steep, rock-strewn paths.
Fort Worth, Texas, is interlaced with 100 miles of Trinity Trails that lead to a number of outdoor gems. One is a waterfall that serves as a stopover for monarch butterflies during their annual northern migration.
A favorite place for flat hiking among Floridians and those visiting their state is the historic Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. It was constructed between 1909 and 1912 to serve as a railroad span. Now that a parallel overpass has been built, the original overpass has become popular with those who prefer to travel by foot or bicycle. The bridge is often so crowded with fishermen that it’s referred to as “the longest fishing pier in the world.”
Most people can find good fishing not far from where they live. Those seeking the ultimate in angling opportunities have a wide choice of other alternatives, too. Lake Tahoe, California, is the largest alpine body of water in North America. During warm months its deep holes teem with kokanee salmon, rainbow and brown trout, and mackinaw.
Charleston, South Carolina, sits at the confluence of three rivers and is surrounded by tidal creeks and salt marshes. This Lowcountry region offers an abundance of red drum, flounder, and speckled trout. The Gulf Stream, which flows offshore, attracts billfish, yellow tuna, and other denizens of the deep.
If sailing above water rather than fishing in it is your thing, there’s a wide selection of options for that, too. Guests at Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania might feel that they’re at the ocean because it occupies a sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie. Along with motor-boating, swimming, fishing, and diving, the lagoon often is dotted by the canvas of wind-driven boats.
It may seem surprising to think of Kansas as a good state for sailing, but its location in the flat plains means plenty of prevailing winds. In fact, Cheney Lake near Wichita offers the highest average wind speed in the continental United States. As a result, it’s one of the best lakes in the nation for sailing.
Floating above water and occasionally diving down to check out the life below is also a popular pastime. Good snorkeling and diving opportunities might exist closer than you thought. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida covers 178 square miles of coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and seagrass beds. More than 50 varieties of multihued coral and 600-plus species of fish greet those who swim above or among them.
Mississippi doesn’t usually come to mind when thinking of outstanding snorkeling, but the Gulf Islands National Seashore is rich with discoveries. Pinfish, pipefish, seahorses, and other tropical species hide out in the seagrass, while a sunken tugboat and battleship await sightings.
Speaking of sightings, birdwatching combines outdoor experiences with the beauty, sounds, and wonder of our feathered friends. The 400-plus sites that comprise the National Park System, located in every state, offer outstanding opportunities to commune with high-flyers. Forty of them are recognized by Birdlife International as Globally Important Bird Areas.
Some destinations are mini continents that provide an array of soft-adventure alternatives. Mother Nature was kind to Myrtle Beach when it came to handing out naturally beautiful settings. Perched along South Carolina’s coastline, its cornucopia of outdoor opportunities includes canoe and kayak tours through magnificent marshes and cruises to spot wildlife, including dolphins, alligators, and sea turtles.
Some resorts serve as a microcosm of the country in terms of their activity offerings. The list at Mountain Lake Lodge, perched among Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, includes hiking, kayaking, fishing, treetop adventures, archery, badminton, beach volleyball—and more.
